News Service from House Harris

QLD: Nearly 20,000 pack Brisbane dawn service

BRISBANE, April 25 AAP - As dawn broke in the Brisbane sky nearly 20,000 people gathered in Anzac Square to remember those who fought for Australia.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, Governor Penelope Wensley and Brisbane Mayor Campbell Newman were among those who packed the service on Saturday at the Shrine of Remembrance where the eternal flame burned at its centre.

Ms Wensley paid tribute to soldiers who had fought in past battles as well as those who are serving the country today.

"We remember those who sacrificed their lives in service of our country," she told the crowd.

"We remember another war 94 years ago at Gallipoli where the noise of gunfire and shelling ripped the air and echoed off the cliffs across the darkened sea where the Anzacs fought so bravely and so many lost their lives.

"Since last Anzac Day we have lost more Australian sons to conflict and we hold a special place in our hearts for their families today.

"Lest we forget."

Retired infantryman and third-generation defence force veteran Graham Baldwin sat wearily by the shrine, resting before his upcoming march through the city.

Proudly wearing his grandfather's and father's medals on his jacket he told of his grandfather's battle in France in World War I and how his father flew Lancaster bombers in World War II.

"I feel very, very solemn - there are a lot of memories," he said.

Recently retired artillery warrant officer class one Maurice Tauletta, who served for 27 years and toured East Timor and Malaysia, said the dawn service was a time to reflect.

"It's time to think about our fellow comrades and the guys who unfortunately, in recent years, haven't made it," Mr Tauletta said after the service.

"It's a time to reflect what it was like during the First World War and the Second World War and in any time of conflict."

His comrade, fellow artillery officer and retired major Matt Anderson, who has served in East Timor, Syria and southern Lebanon, thought about his brother who served in Iraq and friends in Afghanistan.

"The dawn service for me is a time to reflect and I always find myself thinking about friends that I did lose in Lebanon and I always find myself thinking about family and other friends I've got who are still serving," he said.

Highly decorated Vietnam veteran former army signaller Warren Lehellwig, who normally attends the Canberra dawn service, said he enjoyed his first Brisbane dawn service and while it was important to remember the past, it was the future generations who were a standout for him.

"It's the best thing about Anzac Day, is seeing the young children here and know it was all for them," he said of past battles.

Ms Bligh, Ms Wensley, Mr Newman and members of the public laid wreaths at the Shrine of Remembrance while the catafalque party, made up of navy, army and air force personnel, bordered the Shrine.

AAP ahe/sn